Security Council

7091^st Meeting (PM)

Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2132 (2013), Security Council Increases

United Nations Mission’s Military Presence in South Sudan

Responding to the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, the Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution which, among others, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and overall increased force levels of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

In resolution 2132 (2013) the 15-member body decided that the Mission would augment its military component up to 12,500 troops of all ranks, as well as a police component up to 1,323, including appropriate Formed Police Units.

Authorizing the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to facilitate inter-mission cooperation, the Council also approved the appropriate transfer of troops, force enablers and multipliers from other missions, in particular the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

Speaking after the vote, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the urgency and collective resolve of the Council, stating he was “determined” to ensure that UNMISS had the means to carry out its central task of protecting civilians.

He expressed deep concern about the reports of ethnically targeted violence, including extrajudicial killings and mass graves.  The displacement of civilians was spreading, with 45,000 people seeking protection at the bases of the South Sudan Mission.

“There is no military solution to this conflict,” he underlined, adding that it was a political crisis and required a peaceful, political solution.  The United Nations was working closely with parties on the ground to establish a basis for negotiations.

The Secretary-General also thanked the troop- and police-contributing countries and commended the peacekeepers.  Emphasizing that those responsible for attacks on peacekeepers and civilians would be held personally accountable, he stated:  “They should know the world is watching.”

However, even with ongoing support, he cautioned, the strengthening of the Mission’s protection capabilities would not happen overnight and even with additional capabilities, every civilian in need would not be protected.  The parties were responsible for ending to end the conflict.

Having called upon President Salva Kiir and opposition political leaders to come to the table and find a political way out, the Secretary-General concluded:  “Now is the time for South Sudan’s leaders to show their people and the world that they are committed to preserving the unity of the nation that was born out of their long struggle for independence.”

Francis Mading Deng ( South Sudan) said that his country’s people “do not want to fall back into the abyss of war from which they have suffered for over half a century”.  South Sudan was experiencing a period of complex internal conflict and the Government, under very difficult circumstances, was doing as much as it could to restore calm and stability to the affected areas in the country.

He expressed “deep appreciation” for the proactive response of the Secretary-General and the Council, exemplified by the decision to reinforce the Mission, saying that “it had been heartening” to witness the protection provided by the Mission in its compounds to tens of thousands of civilians.

Acknowledging the appeals of the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations for South Sudanese leaders to offer the nation a framework for peace and reconciliation, he added that the same spirit was reflected in a press statement by President Kiir, which called for an immediate end to violence and urged Riek Machar and his forces to rise to the challenge of nation-building.

The meeting began at 3:05 p.m. and ended at 3:18 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2132 (2013) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Expressing grave alarm and concern regarding the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan resulting from the political dispute and subsequent violence caused by the country’s political leaders,

“Recalling its 17 December and 20 December 2013 press statements, and previous resolutions 1996 (2011), 2046 (2012), 2057 (2012), and 2109 (2013), and acknowledging the 23 December 2013 letter from the Secretary-General (S/2013/758),

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of South Sudan,

“Condemning the fighting and targeted violence against civilians and specific ethnic and other communities occurring across the country that have resulted in hundreds of deaths and casualties and tens of thousands of internally displaced persons,

“Further condemning reported human rights violations and abuses by all parties, including armed groups and national security forces, and emphasizing that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be held accountable,

“Welcoming the strengthening of the human rights investigation capacity of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,

“Commending the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Ministerial Group’s initiative, as supported by the United Nations and African Union, in seeking to open the dialogue and mediate between key leaders, and urging all parties to cooperate with this initiative,

“Commending the active steps taken by UNMISS to implement its mandate and give refuge in its premises and other forms of assistance to the civilians caught in the fighting,

“Condemning in the strongest terms attacks on and threats made to UNMISS personnel and United Nations facilities, demanding that all parties respect the inviolability of United Nations premises and to refrain from any violence against those gathered at United Nations facilities, and in this regard reiterating its condemnation of the attack on the UNMISS camp in Akobo, on 19 December, which resulted in the death of two Indian peacekeepers and the wounding of another, as well as at least 20 other casualties of individuals seeking UNMISS protection,

“Determining that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the immediate opening of a dialogue;

“2.   Demands that all parties cooperate fully with UNMISS as it implements its mandate, in particular the protection of civilians, and stresses that efforts to undermine UNMISS’ ability to implement its mandate and attacks on United Nations personnel will not be tolerated;

“3.   Endorses the recommendation made by the Secretary-General to temporarily increase the overall force levels of UNMISS to support its protection of civilians and provision of humanitarian assistance;

“4.   Decides, therefore, that given the urgent circumstances of the situation, UNMISS will consist of a military component of up to 12,500 troops of all ranks and of a police component, including appropriate Formed Police Units, of up to 1,323, requests that the Secretary-General keep the new levels of troops and police in UNMISS under continuous review, and requests that the Secretary-General report to the Council within 15 days on the steps taken to implement this resolution, and at least every 30 days thereafter;

“5.   Authorizes the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to facilitate inter-mission cooperation and, if needed and subject to further Council consideration, complementary force and asset generation, and authorizes, in order to reach the new levels of troops and police within the overall troop ceiling set out in paragraph 4 on a temporary basis, appropriate transfer of troops, force enablers, and multipliers from other missions, in particular MONUSCO, UNAMID, UNISFA, UNOCI and UNMIL, subject to the agreement of the troop-contributing countries and without prejudice to the performance of the mandates of these United Nations missions;

“6.   Urges the concerned Member States to facilitate the deployment and redeployment to and from UNMISS, and encourages all Member States to respond to United Nations efforts to mobilize troops and resources;

“7.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record